Little late with this one, but I hope you guys enjoy! Thank you to Kayden, gold-spenser, and the anonymous guest for your kind words last chapter. It really made my day. Here's Day 2, for which I chose the prompt "Comfort".

All characters belong to Rooster Teeth

It was unusual for Oscar to miss a training session with Ironwood or his teammates. Very unusual. But Oscar hadn't just missed one session...he'd missed the last three. Every time, he reassured Ironwood that he'd make it the next time but never showed up in the end. Ironwood knew something had to be up with the young farmhand, so he turned to the one person he knew would be able to help him.

"Oscar's missed training the last three days?!" Ruby exclaimed in surprise after Ironwood explained the situation to her.

"Yes and it has me worried," Ironwood admitted, "I know how close you two are, so I'm hoping you can talk to him and see what's going on."

Nervously rubbing the back of her head, Ruby replied, "Well, Jaune, Ren, and Nora have also noticed he's been a bit more withdrawn lately. Even Qrow's getting concerned about him."

"Then I think you should try and talk to him as soon as you can. He does have a lot on his plate, after all."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks for telling me, General Ironwood."

"Anytime, Ruby."

Ruby took a couple of steps towards the door of Ironwood's office before stopping and turning around to face the headmaster. Her expression was one of seriousness and a little bit of sympathy, as she knew Ironwood was truly trying his best to try and get Oscar some help. She smiled and then spoke to the man behind her.

"Listen, General, maybe try and see Oscar has his own person," she suggested, "Oz isn't here and there's much more to Oscar than being his reincarnation. He's one of the bravest people I've ever met and he's only fifteen. Believe me, he'll definitely surprise you with what he can do."

With her thoughts now spoken, Ruby exited the office, leaving Ironwood alone to think upon her words. All he could do was smile, however, because he had full faith in Ruby's abilities to help her friends. He'd figure out a way to learn more about Oscar another time. For now, the farmhand turned Huntsman needed his best friend's help, which was exactly what Ruby was going to give him.

Oscar was curled up on his bed in the dorm he shared with Jaune, Ren, and Nora, his knees to his chest and his head on his knees. For the past three days, he'd been getting overwhelmed with thoughts of the merge and how he would probably disappear as a result of it. It hurt him to have to constantly put off training with Ironwood and his friends, but he just couldn't do it. Not when they would lose him sooner rather than later.

"Why did this have to happen to me?" he thought as tears threatened to fall from his hazel eyes, "It's not fair! Do the Gods just hate me or something?"

The doors to his room slid open and Oscar could hear the faint sound of shoes clunking on the floor. He knew exactly who it was...Ruby. General Ironwood must've talked to her about his behavior lately and asked her to try and talk to him. Why couldn't everyone just leave him alone?

Ruby knelt next to Oscar's bed, her silver eyes filled with worry, and said, "Oscar, are you okay?"

She could see Oscar shake his head as his answer and Ruby knew she had to tread lightly if she was going to get him to talk.

"Are you worried about...that again?"

Wrapping his arms around himself, Oscar answered, "Ironwood's been reminding me of my fate since we got here. But I know he's not trying to hurt me."

"He's worried about you, Oscar. We all are." Ruby began rubbing Oscar's shoulder and continued, "Just remember that you're not alone here. You've always got us, Oscar. We'll be with you until the very end."

Uncurling himself but keeping an arm tucked under his head, Oscar inquired, "Do you mean that?"

Ruby smiled and touched his forehead with her own, "Of course I do. We may not say or show it often, but we love you, Oscar. Like Jaune said, this team isn't the same without you."

A stray tear fell from Oscar's eye, the young boy happy to know that someone would always be there for him whenever he needed it. He sat up and pulled Ruby into a hug, which she happily reciprocated as she sat down next to him and held him tight. Pulling away a few seconds later, Ruby giggled a little bit, confusing Oscar.

"You know, I'm glad I was able to cheer you up," she admitted, "If that hadn't worked, I would've resorted to tickling to get you to smile."

Oscar raised an eyebrow at her then deadpanned, "Ruby, you're way more ticklish than I am. I'd get you back in two seconds and you'd be laughing your head off."

"True, but I was still gonna try."

"Good luck with that."

Ruby then began squealing with laughter as Oscar squeezed her sides, the Huntress trying and failing miserably to cease her friend's surprise attack. Still, she couldn't deny that she was happy Oscar was back to being himself again. Oscar and miserable didn't go too well together in her opinion. Now if only she could get him to stop tickling her, everything would be perfect.